The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) reported a withdrawal of 219 Bcf natural gas from storage for the week ended Jan. 21. The result was steeper than the median estimates found in major polls and much more so than the five-year average, sending Nymex natural gas futures higher.

The pull marked the biggest of the winter season to date and pushed inventories below average levels.

“It was colder than normal over the eastern half of the U.S.” during the covered period, fueling robust heating demand and necessitating large draws on inventories, NatGasWeather said.

Production was also lower than recent highs during the week because of weather-induced freeze-offs.

The print was “a strong number in terms of the supply/demand balance, thanks to production...